SWINDON Supermarine were denied a Boxing Day victory as North Leigh snatched a stoppage time equaliser in a Christmas cracker of a contest in Southern League Division One South & West that ended 3-3.

Marine edged a thrilling first half at the Webbswood Stadium to lead 3-2 and looked on course to finish with all three points, only for Roger James to earn the visitors a share of the spoils at the death.

Marine manager Dave Webb said: “It’s a massive disappointment. We’ve got a point against a good side but it feels like a defeat.

“Some of the football we played was scintilating, it was some of the best stuff we have played in a long time.

“We should have been 3-1 up at half-time but we gave a silly goal away right from the kick-off after our third goal and then we let in another goal right at the end.

“North Leigh are a good side but we should have beaten them. I think everyone who was there would agree that we were the better side.

“It’s hard being a defender because when you make a mistake, it usually costs you a goal. If a striker makes a mistake and doesn’t score from a good chance, he’ll probably get another one and a chance to make up for it.

“We didn’t lose and we’ve stretched our run to seven games unbeaten but I am really disappointed because that felt like a game we could, and really should, have won.”

North Leigh were first on the scoresheet in a pulsating first half as George Seacole broke the deadlock with just over a quarter-of-an-hour on the clock.

Webb’s men began to up their game and threatened the visitors’ goal at regular intervals, although had to wait until eight minutes before the break to draw level.

Josh Parsons was the man to get the goal and once the hosts had evened up the scores, the floodgates soon opened for them.

Parsons got his second of the game with a stunning volley to put Marine ahead and Webb’s troops looked like heading into the break with a two-goal cushion when Connor Thompson slotted home to make it 3-1.

However, former Marine man Bradley Gray gave North Leigh a lifeline in stoppage time at the end of the first half to cut the deficit to one goal.

The home side shaded the second period but were unable to fashion out another gilt-edged chance to put the game to bed and were made to pay at the death when James pounced for North Leigh to ensure the contest finished all-square.

  • CHIPPENHAM Town were also hit by a late leveller as their Premier Division clash away at Cirencester Town also finished 3-3.

The Bluebirds recovered from going behind early on to lead as the clock ticked past the 90-minute mark, however, there was a sting in the tail as former Chippenham striker Alan Griffin struck in stoppage time to deny his old club victory.

Tony Lee had given Ciren the lead after just three minutes but James Guthrie restored parity for Mark Collier’s side before the break.

Lee struck again just a minute after the restart to put the home side in control once more but the Bluebirds came roaring back with two goals in five minutes from Andy Sandell and David Pratt to lead with a quarter-of-an-hour to go.

However, Collier’s troops could not hold on and former favourite Griffin came back to haunt his old side in time added on.